The perfect blue-gray color wash is one of those colors I've worked tirelessly to achieve. Just when I thought I had it, I'd stand back to look at the painted piece of furniture, only to crinkle my nose and think... that's not quite it. Each time, I'd get closer to my ideal color, but it was time consuming to add layers of blues and grays and whites - brushing, wiping, and watering down paints to achieve a perfectly layered look. It was never quick or easy. Until ...
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8 Tips to Boost Energy Savings With Insulated Curtains
Here in the heart of New England, we pride ourselves on the number of historical colonial and victorian homes we have. Since many are more than 50 years old, the insulating efficiency of those same beautiful homes is less than desirable during the freezing New England months.
In an ideal world, every older home would go through a a costly remodel that included adding or updating the insulation in the walls and replacing the windows with today's energy-efficient ones. Unfortunately, that's not ...
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Before & After: The Expresso-Stained Open Console
Today's before and after furniture reveal really is a one-of-a-kind piece that's been transformed with laminate wood flooring planks. What started as a dresser is now a multi-purpose, two-sided open console. It's a media console, a room divider, a horizontal bookcase, an open-storage dining sideboard, an entryway welcoming center, and even a very chic toy storage unit that you wouldn't mind showcasing in your living room! It has so many incredible uses and can move from room to room as your ...
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A Norwegian home on Christmas eve
We had our first snowfall here in Boston yesterday. I woke up to find a light dusting of white - which I love. This morning I have more Scandinavian design inspiration for you. Actually, it's for me (too). I just love the style and it's a way for me to save them and share at the same time. You have to see these gorgeous photos...
You can always rely on Norwegian blogger Nina Holst of Stylizimo for beautiful interior inspiration. And when it comes to Christmas Eve it...
Source: A Norwegian ...
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Hygge – Living a Cozy Life
Save this post to read later. Later... after the cleaning up... after all the shopping. Later... when you finally sit down on the couch and you can look around your home and really take in what you see and you're seeing how your home makes you feel.
Have you heard of Hygge? Pronouned "hue-gah", hygge is a Danish word that is a feeling or mood that comes from taking genuine pleasure in making ordinary, everyday things more meaningful, beautiful, or special. It's about making things... ...
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Scandinavian Christmas Decorating
We put up our Christmas tree earlier this week. We always get it the day before Thanksgiving and set it up on Thanksgiving morning. It usually remains undecorated for at least a week before my kids finally ask when I'm going to put the lights on it; but I realized this morning as I was staring at my own tree and reading through a blog post on My Scandinavian Home, that I really enjoy the natural, undecorated tree.
I've always had a preference for black and white design. Very dark ...
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Fab Furniture Flippin Contest: Velvet Finishes
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! It's been a great week as I've been finishing up painting projects for the winter. The cool weather means I'm not able to sand furniture outside so I hibernate inside, rest, and catch up on my writing. I can't wait!
I absolutely love the winter. Everything seems so bright when it snows. Just looking outside when it snows you can see a haze of cool blues.
That's why this month's furniture makeover challenge that I am a part of and its theme are so fitting. ...
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General Finishes Van Dyke Brown Glaze Over Driftwood
The result of layering paints and glazes always amazes me. It truly gives you a unique, polished, professional look and in many cases can look like stained wood. Such was the case with this maple bedroom set painted in General Finishes Van Dyke Brown Glaze over Driftwood paint.
The bedroom set belonged to a close friend of mine. Her daughter actually. Her daughter is grown and off to college (Syracuse University - she's very smart!) so it was time to take her little-girl bedroom ...
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Old World Sideboard
Some people work in hosptials where they save people; some at animal shelters where they save dogs and cats. I work in a rather messy garage where I save furniture. While I don't restore antiques (that's a true specialty), I have saved many, many vintage pieces abandoned on the side of the road, deposited at thrift stores, or stored in basements and spare rooms for decades.
A very dear friend who I've known for twenty years (and who I still consider to be like family) asked me to ...
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My Love of Wood Lamps
The principles of Feng Shui promote a balance between the five elements of wood, water, metal, fire and earth. Including an equal balance of these elements in your home is an easy way to bump up the positive Feng Shui. In addition to furniture, another way I include wood elements in my own home is with wood lamps.
I received my first wood lamp as a bridal shower gift more than twenty years ago from a very good friend of mine from college. Karen, if you're reading this, I loved that lamp ...
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7-Layer Stained Dresser
Do you love Restoration Hardware furniture as much as I do? The way they layer stain to create subtle color variations and shadings with a dramatic, rich effect is stunning. I've read that some of their finishes are actually a nine-layer processes!
Well... I've been wanting to try my hand at a similar look and I'm pretty happy with the result.
The original dresser was a 1950's or 60's finish. This was sanded down to bare wood. From there, the layering process began.
I always use a ...
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Small White Table Desk
A quick furniture makeover reveal for you today to start the week off. Is it a table or is it a desk? At just 46-inches long, this table is really the perfect size for either a small kitchen table or a desk. Finished in a China White enamel, the surface is now durable, washable, and available in the Entri Ways' Shop.
Remember to subscribe to Entri Ways' emails or on Facebook to get first ...
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